Oyster-shucking knife



K. B. ARTHUR.

OYSTER SHUCKING KNIFE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 15. 19:9.

Patented Sept. 7,1920.

attain;

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

OYSTER-SHUCKING KNIFE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. '7, 1920.

Application filed November 15, 1919. Serial No. 338,248.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, KEMP B. ARTHUR, a citizenof the United States, residing at Norfolk, in the county of Norfolk and State of Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Oyster-Shucking Knives, of which the following is a specification, reference being hadto the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to an improved oyster shucking knife, and one of the objects of the invention is to provide a device of this kind, which is fully capable of being manufactured for a relatively low cost and sold at a reasonable profit.

Another object of the invention is to provide a shuckers knife, in the construction of which the blade and the metal handle portion (which carries wooden handle backs) are constructed in one piece, Furthermore, it is the aim to construct the fiat metal handle piece of the blade in a broad design at right angles to the blade. In other words the metal handle piece is extended in alinement with the blade, but its broad area is positioned in a plain at right angles to the broad area of the blade as illustrated, so that the wooden handle backs may be secured thereto.

Heretofore oyster shucking knives have been constructed so that it is necessary to turn the knife in the hand, so that the hammer member of the blade may be used for breaking or crushing the edge of the oyster at the mouth thereof. IVhen taking into consideration that a shucker shucks quite a number of oysters in a day, it is obvious that considerable time is lost in the twisting or turning of the knife in the hand so that the hammer can be employed, and then imparting a return twist or turn to theknife, so that the blade can be employed for opening the oyster.

As a further object ofthe invention it is the aim to provide an oyster shucking knife, wherein the turning or twisting of the knife in the hand is obviated, in view of the fact that the hammer member of the knife is positioned under the blade,,and in this case the knife remains substantially in the same position .at all times in the hand'of the shucker.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a guard for the blade offthe knife so that the knife can be carried in the shuckers pocket,-if desired. However, when end of the blade of the knife thereby acting as a protection for the blade, and furthermore it is the aim to provide means whereby the knife can be hung up when not in use.

While the design and construction at present illustrated and set forth is deemed preferable, it is obvious that as a result of a reduction of the invention to a more practical form for commercial purposes, the invention may be susceptible to changes, and the right to these changes is claimed provided they are comprehended within the scope of what is claimed.

The invention comprises further features and combination of parts, as will be hereinafter set forth, shown in the drawings and. claimed.

I11 the drawings Figure 1 is a view of the improved oyster shucking knife constructed in accordance with the invention.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view through the same showing the guard in a position covering the end portion of the blade.

Fig; 3 is a longitudinal sectional view on the line 33 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a section view on line 4-4: of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view on line 5-5 of Fig. 1.

} Referring more especially to the drawings, 1 designates the body of the blade proper of the knife. Adjacent the end of the body the blade is provided with a hammer poll 2, which in the present instance is preferably rectangular in cross section and similarly shaped in length. Forming an integral part of the body of the blade of the knife and projecting beyond the hammer poll is the oyster blade proper 3. This blade 3 is broad in area and of elongated form, and has its upper and lower faces slightly curved in cross section as indicated in the cross sectional view of Fig. Furthermore the blade proper 3 is tapered gradually as shown clearly in Fig. 1. In fact the'blade is tapered in its thickness throughout its length, while the blade is tapered in breadth as shownin plan view. In fact of the knife.

the opposite edges of the blade are grads ually or slightly curved, and are sufficiently sharpened so as to permit the blade to be used for cutting the meat of the oyster from the shell. Furthermore the opposite edges of the blade terminate in a curved extremity so as to permit the blade to be inserted between the oyster and the shell thereof. The blade proper 3 in edge view is slightly curved as indicated'so that the blade may easily and efficiently conform to the curvature of the shell when cutting: the oyster from the interior of the shell.

Extending from the other end of the body 1 of the oyster shucking knife, is a metallic handle extension 5, which is of substantial thickness and breadth, as illustrated. The metallic handle extension is also substantial in length and has a breadth greater than the breadth of the blade of the knife. This handle extension has its area disposed in a plain at right angles to the breadth of the blade of the knife. In fact the thickness of the metallic handle extension is at right angles to the breadth of the blade. Engaging the opposite faces of the handle extension 5 are suitable handle backs 6, which are secured to the metallic handle extension by means of the riveted pins 7. The forward end portions of the wooden handle backs are curved as shown so as to engage the curved shoulders 8, adjacent where the blade of the knife merges from the metallic handle extension, thereby constituting abutlnents for the wooden handle backs.

The handle of the knife is provided with a slot t, and between this slot and the ends of the wooden handle backs, the wooden handle backs are provided with elongated counter-sinks or depressions 9. Pivoted at 10 to the blade of the knife partly adjacent the hammer poll is a U-shaped guard 11. This guard is constructed from a single piece of material, of any suitable metal or the like, though not necessarily, and is folded upon itself as indicated at 12, thereby constructing the same U-shaped in plan view. The end portions of the sides of the guard are designed to receive the pivot pin, while the folded end 12 of the guard is designed to engage the transversely disposed slot or notch, so that when the guard is closed, the folded or loop end of the guard will be flush with the outer surface of the handle It will be noted that the inner walls 14: of the counter-sinks or elongated recesses of the wooden handle backs, as indicated, are designed to be engaged by the adjacent or inner surfaces of the sides of the guards so that when the guard is closed its outer surfaces are flush with the wooden handle backs. The inner portion of the folded end of the guard is provided with; a depression 16, in which the curved end 17 of the blade of the knife may be received in order to guard the curved end of the blade to prevent the same from being dulled. An insert piece 18 of leather, though not necessarily, is arranged in the depression so as to be engaged by the curved end of the blade of the knife. The end of the handle has an opening or aperture drilled therethrough as indicated at 19 so that the oyster shucking knife may be hung up or suspended when not in use.

WVhen the knife is not in use the guard is swung over the blade so that the curved end of the blade may engage the insert piece in the depression. However, when using the knife, the guard is moved pivotally to the rear so that theloop or folded part of the guard may engage the transverse notch or slot of the handle. hen the guard isso disposed its outer surface and the opposite edges of the sides of the guard are flush with the outer surface of the handle of the knife so that the handle may be easily grasped by the shucker. 7

It is obvious that the oyster shucking knife may be employed as a rake to pull or rake the oysters from the top of the pile toward the shucker, so that the oysters may be in close position to be opened by the shucker.

lVhen using the knife, the shucker grasps the handle thereof, then employs the hammer poll for striking the edge of the oyster at themouth end thereof, partly breaking the shell so that afterward the curved end of the blade of the knife may be inserted between the opposite parts of the shell of the oyster so that they can be separated. One of the parts of the shell can then be easily lifted by the hand and disposed of, after which the blade of the knife is employed to cut the meat of the oyster from the remaining shell part. It will be noted that the blade is of a curvature to substantially conform to the curvature of the shell to facilitate the removal of the meat of the oyster from the shell. The complete operation of shucking an oyster is aeomplished without turning or twisting'the oyster knife in the hand, that is to say, it is unnecessary to first turn the knife in the hand to break the mouth edge or end of the shell of the oyster and afterward return the knife to the proper position to permit the insertion of the blade of the knife between the two shell'parts. In fact the shucker may firmly grasp the knife substantially in one position at all times. To accomplish this result the hammer poll is rectangular in cross section and in length and is disposed immediately under the broad surface at the rear portion of the blade proper.

By constructing the body of the blade, the blade and the metallic handle piece between the two wooden handle backs, all in one piece, the oyster shucking knife is more rigid and more substantial in every respect than knives heretofore used. Furthermore, thehannner poll also acts as a guard for the hand of the shucker, thereby preventing the shell of the oyster from cutting the shuckers hand should the blade slip too far between the opposite shell parts of the oyster. For instance should the blade slip too far between the shell parts, the shell parts would contact with one face of the hammer poll, thereby limiting the movement of the blade and hence protect the hand of the shucker. Furthermore, the blade and the handle have been found to be properly balanced with relation to the body of the blade so as to not tire the shucker or user.

Also owing to the cross section curvature of the blade proper, it is found to be much easier to remove the oyster from the shell. In fact it is unnecessary to scrape the oyster from the shell, by the blade being curved on a radius of the shell, the meat of the oyster is readily cut out.

Furthermore, it will be observed that there has been produced an improved oyster shucking knife which is not clumsy but which has been found to be very efficient and practical in every respect. Further more, the chances for the blade to become loosened with regard to the wooden handle backs, are reduced to a minimum, owing to the shoulders of the blade being engaged by the handle back,-and since the handle backs are riveted to the metallic handle extension.

Also owing to the wooden handle backs, the handle end of the knife will not become so chilled during cold weather, and the shell of the oyster with a hammer, breaking the blade is also eliminated.

The invention having been set forth what is claimed as new and useful is 1. In an oyster shucking knife, the combination with a knife blade proper extension having a broad area extending in alinement with the body, said blade havil'ig a hammer poll at one end of the body, adjacent where the blade proper protrudes from the body, said blade proper being slightly curved throughout its length and having opposite curved faces, and opposite curved cutting edges, the body of the blade having a handle extension having its area at right angles to the body of the blade, one end of the body of the blade forming shoulders adjacent where the handle extension extends from the body of the blade, and wooden handle backs secured to the handle extension.

2. In an oyster shucking knife, the combination with a knife blade comprising a body and a blade proper, and a handlecarried by the body at its opposite end, of a U-shaped guard pivotally mounted upon one end of the body of the blade and being in conformation with the blade proper to receive and guard the same when the knife is not in use.

3. In an oyster shucking knife, the combination with a knife blade comprising a body and a blade proper, of a handle carried by the body at its opposite end, a U- shaped guard pivotally mounted upon one end of the body of the blade and being in conformation with the blade proper to receive and guard the same when the knife is not in use, the handle of the knife having opposite recesses or cut away portions and a transverse slot to receive the guard when the blade proper of the knife is being used.

l. In an oyster shucking knife, the combination with a knife blade comprising a body and a blade proper, of a handle carried by the body at its opposite end, a U- shaped guard pivotally mounted upon one end of the body of the blade and being in conformation with the blade proper to receive and guard the same when the knife is not in use, the handle of the knife having opposite recesses or cut away portions and a transverse slot to receive the guard when the blade proper of the knife is being used, the loop end of the guard having a depres sion and an insert piece to receivethe end of the blade for protecting the same.

In testimony whereof I hereunto my signature.

KEMP B. ARTHUR. 

